Every year Christmas adverts help to hail the start of the festive season, and with a guaranteed mix of sweet woodland creatures and catchy songs, there's always something to delight. But the highly-anticipated clips aren't always much-loved.
Despite the careful planning that goes into them, some ads prove to be a little too jolly or fail to hit the mark. From misguided choices to the adverts that couldn't be shown on TV, there's been more than a few controversial clips over the years - and some from unusual suspects.
Below, we look back on some of the most talked about adverts and why they made headlines.
Iceland's blocked advert
Back in 2018, Iceland's Christmas advert prompted outrage - not because the public disliked the clip but because they wanted to see more.
The heart-breaking cartoon, which prompted people to enjoy an orangutan-friendly Christmas, never made it to TV. The creation of campaign group Greenpeace, who later teamed up with Iceland to promote its message, Clearcast, who clears ads for broadcasters, found that the short film breached political advertising rules.
Iceland instead shared the clip on its YouTube channel, where it won much acclaim for raising awareness of rainforest destruction.
Asda's 'sexist' advert
Asda is known for its smash-hit festive campaigns, with this year's Buddy the Elf advert said to be their best ever - and possibly the greatest of all time. But they've previously been criticised for failing to spread Christmas cheer. In 2012, the supermarket's family-focused ad prompted over 600 complaints from viewers who thought the campaign was sexist and offensive.
The TV film got off to a good start as it followed the preparations of a busy mum, but by the end of the ad, which used the tagline "Behind every great Christmas there's mum, and behind mum there's Asda," some people had changed their minds. It probably didn't help that the clip, which sees a mum running around frantically to prepare Christmas, ends with a man asking: "What's for tea, love?"
Not everyone agreed though, including the Advertising Standards Authority who dismissed the complaints. Asda stood by its campaign, with research conducted by the supermarket indicating customers identified with the film's representation of Christmas.
Aldi's banned advert
Kevin the Carrot is one of the most famous and most popular faces on TV - so he's held to a high standard. Aldi found this out the hard way in 2017 when a festive clip featuring the little guy was given the chop. The Advertising Standards Authority upheld a complaint against the advert on the basis that it was "irresponsible" with its message likely to have a "strong appeal" to people under the age of 18.
The short clip promoting the supermarket's alcohol deals featured Kevin the Carrot whispering: "I see dead parsnips", referencing the 1999 supernatural horror film The Sixth Sense. On the one hand, the clip would likely amuse adults, but you can see why it might confuse kids despite Aldi's intention to appeal to "adults rather than children".
Lidl's 'brutal' advert
Lidl has not made this list for sharing a banned advert - though many joked one its controversial ads should be canned.
Poking fun at rival Aldi in 2020, the supermarket's advert included a shot of roasted carrots that many took as a sly dig at Aldi based on the voiceover: "We don't need cutesy characters when carrots taste this good."
Quick-witted? Definitely. Funny? Maybe. Brutal? Yep, according to social media users.
Thankfully, most people appeared to take the joke in their stride, but it was nonetheless a controversial choice, even if it paid off.
Pizza Hut's 'banned' advert
Cast your mind back to the Christmas of 2018 and there was one TV advert everyone was talking about: John Lewis' The Boy and the Piano. Starring Sir Elton John, the heart-warming video was an instant success. Perhaps keen to share in its praise or just wanting to wind up their friends at John Lewis, Pizza Hut released its own joke ad online.
Posting what is best described as an enthusiastic if not polished piano performance, the restaurant chain shared its video alongside a tongue-in-cheek caption. It read: "Shame to see the #EltonJohnLewis ad allowed through when ours got banned. We’re releasing it anyway. Enjoy."
Sainsbury's war advert
One of the most popular Christmas adverts of all time, Sainsbury's 2014 campaign also had its critics.
The commercial captured hearts by retelling the story of the Christmas truce of 1914, which saw British and German soldiers play football together during the First World War.
Despite the advert's success, some viewers questioned the tastefulness of using the occasion to sell food and war. However, the supermarket was also praised for the touching clip, and its decision to donate all profits from the chocolate bar featured in the advert to the Royal British Legion.
Do you have a story to share? We pay for stories. Email us at yourmirror@mirror.co.uk
